The Oklahoma City Thunder faced a tough setback in their playoff opener against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, a game filled with drama and coaching decisions that had fans buzzing. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault chose to implement a strategy of fouling late in the game while holding a narrow lead — a tactic that’s often debated in basketball circles. Unfortunately for Daigneault and his team, this approach did not yield the desired results, as the Nuggets managed to snatch victory away from the Thunder in a stunning finish.
Postgame, Daigneault made it clear that he stands by his decision to foul, even as the Thunder fell short, 121-119. He emphasized that while the execution wasn’t flawless, the philosophy behind the decision was sound. “That’s usually our deal is to foul up three and to play that game,” Daigneault stated. He acknowledged that the team had a solid plan in place but recognized that things simply did not go their way this time. His confidence in the strategy suggests that it has served them well in the past, hinting at a willingness to adapt and learn from the experience moving forward.
As the game came to a close, the Nuggets displayed a remarkable resilience, closing the contest on a 19-6 run. The Thunder’s late fouling was at the heart of the drama. With a narrow lead, they repeatedly sent the Nuggets to the line, attempting to prevent a game-tying or game-winning shot. In one key moment, Alex Caruso fouled Aaron Gordon with just over ten seconds left on the clock, allowing Gordon to cut the lead down to one with two crucial free throws. Earlier, a foul by Caruso had sent Nikola Jokić to the charity stripe as well. Although Shai Gilgeous-Alexander kept the Thunder ahead with a timely dunk in between those fouls, you could feel the momentum beginning to shift.
The Thunder’s downfall didn’t just stem from the fouling strategy, however. A key moment in the final seconds came when star player Chet Holmgren missed two important free throws with less than ten seconds remaining. Had those shots fallen, the Thunder would have regained a critical three-point advantage, thereby changing the dynamic entirely. Instead, the Nuggets seized the opportunity, managing to score a game-winning three-pointer shortly after.
Another critical error was the timing of the fouls themselves. The Thunder missed opportunities to let some clock run down between fouls, which could have helped control the game’s pace and perhaps secured the win. Daigneault took responsibility for those choices, saying, “The backcourt fouls hurt us… It’s probably too early on my part.” It was a candid acknowledgment of the complexities of coaching at this level, balancing strategy with the players’ execution.
While the late-game decisions certainly raised eyebrows, it’s important to remember that the Thunder had a commanding lead for a significant portion of the match, especially entering the fourth quarter. Players and analysts alike noted that the loss couldn’t be pinned solely on the decision to foul. As Caruso pointed out, “this game wasn’t won or lost in the last 15 seconds,” recognizing that there were numerous moments that contributed to the final score.
With Game 2 on the horizon, the Thunder have a chance to regroup and learn from this experience. If they can take those lessons into Wednesday’s matchup, there’s every reason to believe they can turn the tide and capitalize on the momentum for the remainder of the series. As thrilling as this opening game was, it sure sets the stage for what promises to be an intense playoff run ahead.
